DE112009001107T5 - Method of email address search and email address transliteration and associated device - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of translituting a non-Latin input in an email address field (52) into the Latin equivalent on a handheld electronic device, the handheld electronic device (4) comprising a display (42), a keyboard (20), and a processor device (16), the keyboard (20) having a plurality of character keys (25), the processor apparatus (16) having a processor (36) and a memory (40), the processor apparatus (16) being structured, receiving an input from the keys of the keyboard (20) and providing output signals to the display (42), the memory (40) having a number of routines (44) stored therein, wherein at least one keyboard routine (46) structures is to associate an input of the character key (25) with a specific character, the characters being provided in a database having sets of associated characters, the sets of associated characters comprising at least one ni cht-latin character set and the latin character set, and at least one email routine (50) structured, an email address field ...

Description

BACKGROUND

area

The concept disclosed and claimed relates generally to handheld electronic devices, and more particularly to a handheld electronic device having a routine structured to translate a non-Latin input in an email search or email address field into the Latin equivalent to transliterate.

Description of the Related Art

Various types of handheld electronic devices are known. Examples of such handheld electronic devices include, for example, personal data assistants (PDAs), handheld electronic devices, two-way pagers, cellular telephones, and the like. Many handheld electronic devices also have wireless communication capability, although many such handheld electronic devices are independent devices that are functional without communication with other devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the disclosed and claimed concept may be had from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

1 Figure 4 is a front view of an exemplary hand-held electronic device in accordance with the disclosed and claimed concept on which an improved method is performed in accordance with the disclosed and claimed concept;

2 a schematic representation of the hand-held electronic device of 1 is;

3 Fig. 10 is a flowchart of the disclosed method;

4A - 4C show the displayed output of an email address field in the situations described below;

5A - 5D show the displayed output of an email address book search field in the situations described below; and

6 another flowchart of the disclosed method.

The same numbers refer to the same parts in the description.

DESCRIPTION

As used herein, a "routine" is a set of instructions or a program or a plurality of collaborative programs that are structured to operate on one or more handheld electronic devices.

As used herein, the term "a number of" and variations thereof broadly refer to a non-zero quantity, including a quantity of one.

As used herein, "present" and variations thereof refer to an electronic construct created by a routine that is performed in a processor device and transmitted as a signal to a display that converts the signal into a visible image. Thus, it is apparent that when a routine "presents" an image, the routine "presents" the image over the processor device and the display.

As used herein, the word "click", when used as a verb, means the operation of using an input device associated with a handheld electronic device, such as, but not limited to, a mouse or trackball to control a program or program to operate another function. The input device is structured to move a cursor and accept an entry indicating a selection. Such input is typically provided by a button on the input device (mouse or trackball), tapping the input device (touch screen) or pressing the input device (trackball). "Click" is a series of operations including placing a pointer displayed on the display over an icon, field or other location and then using the input device to select the icon or a cursor on the selected one Place to place. Similarly, a user can "double-click". The result of clicking against a double-click thus varies as the handheld electronic device is programmed. For example, in a general scheme, a single click selects an icon and a double-click starts a program associated with an icon. Further, a single click may position the cursor in a field such that another input device, typically a keyboard, may be used to provide additional input.

An improved handheld electronic device 4 in accordance with the disclosed and claimed concept is generally discussed in U.S.P. 1 shown and is shown schematically in 2 shown. The improved handheld electronic device 4 has a housing 6 on top of which an input device 8th , an output device 12 and a processor device 16 are arranged. The input device 8th provides an input to the processor device 16 , The processor device 16 provides output signals to the output device 12 ,

The input device 8th has a keyboard 20 and a trackwheel 24 on. The keyboard 20 In the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, a plurality of buttons 26 which may each be actuated to input to the processor device 16 to deliver. The trackwheel 24 is rotatable to navigate input and other input to the processor device 16 to deliver, and it may additionally in the direction of the arrow 28 from 1 be moved to provide another input, such as selections. The button's 26 and the trackwheel 24 serve as input elements that can be operated to input to the processor device 16 to deliver. The exemplary output device 12 has an ad 32 on.

It is further noted that the variety of buttons 26 Letter or character keys 25 , which are letters and characters and numbers, function key keys 27 like the "@" symbol, but not limited to it, and operational keys 29 include, but not limited to, the "Enter" or "Return" key. As detailed below, the character keys 25 belong to one or more character sets, ie alphabet or a punctuation character set. Thus, a key can 26 a character button 25 and a function key 27 as well as an operative button 29 be. However, a mess regarding the purpose of a key 26 to reduce, are operational keys 29 typically not with character keys 25 and function keys 27 mixed. Accordingly, every key 26 a number of characters 30 to represent the letters or characters and operations associated with that key 26 belong.

Examples of other input devices not expressly set forth herein include, for example, a mouse or trackball for providing navigation inputs, such as by moving a cursor on the display 32 and other inputs, such as selections. Other exemplary input devices include a touch-sensitive display, a stylus pen for menu input selection on a touch-sensitive display that displays menu options, and / or "soft" buttons of a graphical user interface (GUI), "Hard" keys attached to a housing of the hand-held electronic device 4 are arranged, and so on. Examples of other output devices include a touch-sensitive display, an audio speaker, and so on.

An exemplary mouse or trackball is advantageously of a type that provides different types of navigation inputs. For example, a mouse or trackball may input navigation in both vertical and horizontal directions with respect to display 32 which may facilitate input by the user. Next, a trackball relative to the housing 6 are moved inwards to provide an input operation, that is, a "click".

The processor device 16 includes a processor 36 and a memory 40 , The processor 36 may, for example and without limitation, be a microprocessor (μP) connected to the memory 40 connected is. The memory 40 may be one or more of a variety of types of internal and / or external storage media such as, without limitation, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH, and the like, which provide a storage register for data storage, such as an internal storage area of a handheld electronic device, and may be a volatile memory or non-volatile memory. The memory 40 has a number of routines 44 stored on the processor 36 can be guided out. The processor device 16 is further structured, an input from the keyboard 20 to receive and output signals to the display 32 to deliver.

The routines 44 include at least one keyboard routine 46 Structured, a single character button 25 and assign their input to a specific character. The characters are in a database 48 provided that has sets of associated characters. The sets of associated characters comprise at least one non-Latin character set and the Latin character set. It is noted that many fonts, including the Latin and Greek fonts, automatically include uppercase and lowercase font subsets. The sets of associated characters preferably also include a set of punctuation marks. As an example, the following discussion uses the Greek alphabet as the non-Latin character set. It is obvious, however, that the method claimed below is not limited to the use of the Greek alphabet as the non-Latin character set.

The at least one keyboard routine 46 is structured, a specific character, for example, "Ω", a specific key 26 assigned. Thus, when a user presses the key associated with the "Ω" character, the processor device interprets 16 the input of this key 26 as belonging to the character "Ω" and may, for example, output the character "Ω" on the display 32 demonstrate. The at least one keyboard routine 46 is further structured, the character set to the keys 26 belongs to redefine. For example, if the Latin character set is active, that is at least one keyboard routine 46 typically structured, the subset of Latin characters with lowercase keys 26 assigned. However, if a user has a specific key 26 pressed, for example the operative key "CAP" 29 that is at least a keyboard routine 46 structures, the character subset that links to the character keys 25 belongs to, as the Latin capital letter set to redefine. Similar when the buttons 26 belonging to a character set, for example the Latin character set, can be the at least one keyboard routine 46 the button's 26 redefine which should belong to a different character set, for example the Greek character set. Next causes the use of an operational key 29 , for example, the "ALT" key, which has at least one keyboard routine 46 , the punctuation character set and / or a number character set to the keys 26 assigned.

It is further noted that fonts include equivalent characters, such as a character 30 on the keys 26 displayed. For example, in use, the Latin letter "A" is phonetically identical to the Greek "alpha". Thus, the "A" character key includes 25 a sign 30 for both the Latin "A" and the Greek "Alpha". Certain Greek characters may not have equivalents in the Latin character set, for example, the theta, "θ", is emphasized as "th". In Latin, "th" is a digraph of the letters "t" and "h". Because the letter theta "θ" does not fall between the "t" and "h" character keys 25 can be split, the theta is "θ" on the "Q" character key 25 for which there is no Greek equivalent. The transliteration routine 44T (discussed below) is structured to redefine digraphs with the equivalent Latin character combinations. For those Greek characters for which there are generally accepted equivalents of the Latin characters, the two equivalent letters become characters 30 arranged on the same key and the transliteration routine 44T replaces every Greek character with the Latin equivalent. The button's 26 can continue a character 30 a punctuation mark or a number on it.

The routines 44 also include at least one email routine 50 structured, an email address field 52 to display an input from the keyboard character keys 25 and the function keys 27 to capture and display and transmit an e-mail message over the Internet or a network using similar protocols. The email address field 52 is typically identified by the word "To" followed by a text field in which the user can enter the address of the recipient. As used herein, optional email address fields become 52 such as the "Carbon Copy" or "cc" field and the "Blind Carbon Copy" or "bcc" field, as equivalent to the primary Email Address field 52 considered. It is further noted that an email address 60 has two parts, the username 62 (also referred to as the "mailbox name") and the host (or domain) name 64 , These two parts are part of a hierarchy of names; that is, the domain name 64 has a higher level than the username 62 , The username 62 can be described as the lowest level name in the hierarchy. Typically, the username 62 and the domain name 64 by the AND sign or the commercial "at" symbol "@" 66 separated. It is noted that the "function keys 27 Are not herein identified as "punctuation keys" because selected punctuation marks serve as operators or functional characters in certain cases. One of these cases is the use of the "@" symbol 66 in an email address. That is, the "@" symbol 66 in an email address serves to username 62 and the domain name 64 to separate. It is further noted that the e-mail protocol used by the Internet requires that all addresses use the Latin character set.

As is known, for a user to send a message, the user needs the email address 60 of the recipient in the email address field 52 enter. It is also for handheld electronic devices 4 known, an address book that is a database in an email routine 50 or belonging to it. The address book is used to send a number of email addresses 60 save, and the email routine 50 allows a user to browse, ie view, a list of stored email addresses. If the list of email addresses 60 shown, allows the email routine 50 a user's email addresses 60 in the email address field 52 by clicking or double-clicking on one or more email addresses 60 that are shown. The at least one email routine 50 is preferably structured, actual names and email addresses 60 to store and display. That is, the at least one email routine 50 is structured, email addresses 60 and assign them a name, nickname or description. Thus, if Bill Smith has an email address "Bill_Smith123@thisdomainnameistoolong.com", the user can simply enter the name "Bill Smith" and the at least one email routine 50 returns the corresponding email address in the email address field 52 , Thus, as used herein, a name / email address is equivalent. That is, when a user provides or searches for a "name", the user can either provide or search for a given name or email address and, as long as one is from that name / email address in the address book, the output is the same. The at least one email routine 50 can be structured, the name, the email address, or both, in the email address field 52 however, when the e-mail message is transmitted to the Internet, or any similar electronic network, the e-mail address becomes 60 delivered over the relevant logs instead of the name.

It also includes at least one email routine 50 preferably an "automatically complete" feature. The "auto-complete" feature allows the user to have a partial name or a partial email address 60 in the email address field 52 which then causes the address book to display one or more names or e-mail addresses corresponding to the partial name or partial e-mail address. For example, it is assumed that a user's address book includes the names "Bill Smith" and "Bill Turner". If the user enters the letter "B" in the email address field 52 the "auto-complete" may enter the name Bill Smith, typically highlighted with the letters "ill Smith". If the user wishes to input the name "Bill Smith", the user simply presses the "ENTER" key, the "TAB" key or another non-letter key with a similar function. However, if the user sends a message to "Bill Turner", the user enters additional letters, for example "i", "l" and "l", to spell "Bill". At this point, "Bill Smith" is still the suggested name, as "Smith" precedes "Turner" alphabetically. However, as soon as the user enters the letter "T", the "automatically complete" feature returns "Bill Turner" as the proposed input, which can be selected by pressing the "ENTER" key or other non-letter key with a similar function. Alternatively, the "autocomplete" feature may display a pop-up box that shows all the address book entries that match the supplied input and, as more letters are entered, reduces the number of address book entries that match the supplied input until the desired name or email address 60 the only address book entry shown is.

Finally, with respect to the "automatically complete" feature, it is noted that the "auto-complete" feature may be structured to input selected function characters by inputting the function characters in response to a press of the "SPACE" key 26 , That is, a "space" is an invalid character in an email address 60 , Thus, if in the email address field 52 , the space bar 26 redefined to provide an alternative output. Provided that email addresses 60 a symbol 66 ".", As in ".com", must have a general scheme, first and temporarily the space bar 26 with the "@" icon 66 and then the space bar 26 temporarily connect to the ".". As a result, the user no longer has to press the "ALT" key, which is the character keys 25 redefined with the punctuation character set. Thus, while in the email address field 52 , a user can enter the address "ABC@XYZ.com" by pressing the following sequence of buttons 26 : "B", "C", "Spacebar", "X", "Y", "Z", "Spacebar", "c", "o" and "m" The at least one email routine 50 is further structured, an output table 54 adjacent to the email address field 52 display. Preferably, the output table comprises 54 a first field 56 and a second field 58 , The purpose of this field 56 . 58 will be discussed in detail below.

Typically, the user identifies the default character set for association with the buttons 26 , For the example here, the default character set is the Greek character set. Thus, when the user inputs text, the output will be on the display 42 shown in Greek characters. However, as noted above, the e-mail protocol used by the Internet requires all e-mail addresses 60 use the latin character set. Thus, an input of Greek characters is for an email address 60 not suitable. Accordingly, the method set forth below provides for the translation or transliteration of the Greek character set into the Latin equivalent of the non-Latin character set. The transliteration procedure can be used as an independent transliteration routine 44T or is preferably in the at least one email routine 50 integrated.

While a solution is to use only latin characters as input in the email address field 52 This is unfavorable to a user who prefers a non-Latin language. Thus, the method delays the transliteration of the non-Latin character set into the Latin character set as long as possible. That is, in general, the user can sign in the non-Latin Enter the character set until a triggering event takes place, which is the at least one email routine 50 causes an input and any associated output on the display 42 to switch to the Latin character set. As soon as the at least one email routine continues 50 With the use of the Latin character set, any non-Latin character input will be in the Email Address field 52 also converted into the Latin equivalent of this non-Latin sign. It is noted that while the transliteration method is described herein in relation to Latin and Greek characters, the method may also be implemented for other languages.

Thus, as shown in Table 3, the method comprises the following steps. Provide an assignment 100 the plurality of character keys to a non-Latin character set, typically the standard language, capture 102 a character key input, determining 104 Representing non-Latin characters to the pressed character key 106 of the non-Latin character associated with the operated character key in the Email Address field, Repeat 108 the steps ( 104 ) - ( 106 ) until a trigger event occurs and then redefine 110 the character keys by assigning the character keys 25 to the Latin character set, transform 112 of all non-Latin characters represented in the Email Address field, into the Latin equivalent of this non-Latin character, Capture 114 a character key input, determining 116 Representing Latin Letters to the Pressed Sign Button 118 of the Latin character in the Email Address field 52 , To repeat 120 the steps ( 114 ) - ( 118 ) until the email address is complete, send 122 the email with an email address with latin characters. It is noted that as soon as the triggering event occurs, the email routine 50 the non-Latin options from the presentation in the output table 54 away. That is, as will be described below, the user can input Greek characters that are in the output table 54 represented as Greek characters. However, once the trigger event occurs, the e-mail routine removes 50 the Greek characters and represents the Latin equivalents. Each additional input of characters is represented in the Latin character set.

There are three preferred triggering events selected from the group comprising: Actuate 130 a manual conversion option, capture 132 an input that is not "auto-complete" or capture 134 a function character input. That is, the at least one email routine 50 includes a manual selection of the Latin character set. Manual selection is useful if the user knows the address is not in the address book and can also read Latin characters for input; For example, when a user reads an email address on a printed page. As in 4A The manual selection option can be shown in one of the boxes 56 . 58 the output table 54 being represented. That is, if the user cursors in the email address field 52 positioned, becomes the output table 54 displayed. In the first field 56 the output table 54 may be the word "email" or an equivalent indicator. If the user selects this option, for example by clicking on the word "Email", the selection serves as a trigger and the at least one email routine 50 leads the steps of redefining 110 the character keys by assigning the character keys to the Latin character set, then converting 112 all non-Latin characters represented in the email address field into the Latin equivalent of this non-Latin character, as well as the subsequent steps identified above.

Preferably, the address book is structured to represent names in the default language, not the associated email address. Thus, a user can write and read e-mail addresses, including those offered by the "automatically complete" feature, in the preferred language. However, if a user enters an e-mail address that is not part of the address book, the input must be in the Latin character set. Thus, if the at least one email routine 50 an entry in the email address field 52 detected 132 which is not "automatically completed", the input must be converted to Latin characters. Thus, upon detection 132 an input that is not "auto-complete" will result in the at least one email routine 50 the steps of redefining 110 the character keys by assigning the character keys to the Latin character set, then converting 112 all non-Latin characters represented in the Email Address field, into the Latin equivalent of this non-Latin character, as well as the subsequent steps identified above. That is, a capture 132 an input that does not undergo "auto-complete" serves as a triggering event.

The third triggering event is the acquisition 134 a function character input. That is, if a user has an email address 60 if the user does not enter the address book, the user must enter the "@" symbol and a "." as in ".com". Since an address book entry should contain only correct names and no symbols, the entry of a function character input indicates that the entered data is not an address book name, but an actual email address, which must be in Latin characters. Accordingly, upon detection 134 a function character input, will lead the at least one email routine 50 the steps of redefining 110 the character keys by assigning the character keys to the Latin character set, then converting 112 all non-Latin characters represented in the Email Address field, into the Latin equivalent of this non-Latin character, as well as the subsequent steps identified above.

It is further noted that the fields 56 . 58 the output table 54 show two different output options. That is, as in 4A shown the first box 56 can be used to represent the Latin characters equivalent to the non-Latin input, while the second field 58 can be used to represent the "autocomplete" feature in the default character set. This allows a user to "pull" the manual conversion trigger at any time, that is, to operate the manual conversion option.

The output corresponding to the procedure is written in the 4A - 4C shown. For this example, assume that the user has Greek as the default language and has an English friend named "Danny", that is, "Δάvvu", in his address book. In the 4A , the user has entered two Greek characters, "Δ", "ά" and "v", which have the Latin equivalent characters "D", "ά" and "n". Thus, after the user has written "Δ", "ά" and "v", set the fields 56 . 58 the output table 54 the Latin equivalent "Dan" in the first field 56 and the address book "auto-complete" suggestion "Δάvvu" in the second field 58 , At this point, the user may select the "Auto Complete" suggestion "Δάvvu" or press one of the three triggers identified above. For example, as in 4B When the user writes to a person named "Dante", the fourth letter the user types in is the small Greek "t", which is the Greek letter "τ". Since this is not the next character in the name "Δάvvu", captures 134 the "autocomplete" feature that the input is not "autocomplete", consequently, a trigger event has occurred and the transliterate method as described above is executed.

Alternatively, as in 4C shown, the user can use the Latin equivalent "Dan" in the first box 56 select, ie click. This serves as an operation 130 the manual conversion option and, since a trigger event has occurred, the transliteration procedure is executed as described above and all subsequent character inputs are in Latin. As noted above, once the email address field 52 For example, when the user creates a new email, and before any text in the email address field 52 can be entered, the output table 54 be displayed and the first field 56 with a manual selection option. As in 4A the manual selection option is shown as the word "email" indicating that by selecting this option, the output is in the current email character set, ie Latin.

As another alternative and as in 4C As shown, the user may also initiate transliteration by inputting a function character that typically, but not limited to, the "@" symbol 66 is. That is, as in 4C The user has entered the characters "Δ", "ά" and "v" followed by the "@" symbol 66 , In this case, the email routine detects 50 the symbol 66 as a function character that identifies the input as an e-mail address as opposed to an address book entry. Thus recorded 134 the email routine 50 a function character input, and, since a triggering event has occurred, the transliteration procedure is executed as described above. It is noted that the detection 134 a function-character input as a triggering event well with an email routine 50 works as a spacebar entry as a "@" icon 66 redefined, and includes no address book and no "auto-complete" feature. That is, going back to the previous example of an address book that includes the names "Bill Smith" and "Bill Turner", entering the sequence of the character key 25 "B", "l", "L", "L", "spacebar" cause the email routine 50 on the next input of the character key 25 waits to determine if the user is trying to enter the last name "Smith" or "Turner". In this case, the spacebar does not result in the entry of a "@" symbol 66 , However, and now back to the second example using the Greek input of "Δ", "ά" and "v", the e-mail routine 50 a space key entry as "@" symbol 66 redefined and does not include an address book and / or an "auto-complete" feature, entering the sequence of the character key will result 25 "Δ", "ά" and "v", "space" to enter the "@" symbol 66 as soon as the space bar is pressed. This, in turn, serves as a triggering event and the transliteration process as described above is carried out. Thus, the user can further complete the email address with the domain "XYZ.com" as shown.

As stated above, an address book is typically structured to store a Variety of email addresses. In the preferred embodiment, the address book routine is part of the email routine 50 , However, it is obvious that the Address Book routine may be a separate routine that is structured with the Email routine 50 together. While a user may manually type an email address into an address book, it is more typical for a user to automatically "add" a name and email address of a "sender", ie the person sending a message, to an address book. This is achieved by pressing a "add sender to address" button or menu option while an e-mail message is open or otherwise highlighted. When such an action is initiated, the email routine copies 50 the Latin email address of the open or otherwise highlighted email in the address book. The email routine 50 may then prompt the user for a name to be assigned to the e-mail address. That is, an email address can be "Bill_Smith@XYZ.com". After this name has been added to the address book, the user can assign the name "Bill Smith" to the email address. As another example, an e-mail address of a user / sender may not have expected characters and the associated name may be easier for the user to remember. That is, in a large e-mail system, common names like "Bill Smith" may belong to more than one user. Since each "Bill Smith" must have a unique email address, only the first one can actually use the address Bill_Smith@XYZ.com. A subsequent "Bill Smith" may choose or be assigned a different email address, such as "user1234@XYZ.com". In such a situation, a recipient of an email message from the subsequent "Bill Smith" may not always remember that the "Bill Smith" the recipient knows has a random email address. In this situation, the user / recipient may offer the name "Bill Smith" as the name associated with the email address "user1234@XYZ.com" in the address book. Thus, at a later date, the user only has to type in the well-known name "Bill Smith" and the address book provides the correct email address, ie "user1234@XYZ.com".

The transliteration routine 44T can also be used to search for different names in the address book. That is, a multilingual user typically receives email from different users in different languages. Over time, the multilingual user's address book includes "names" in both Latin and non-Latin languages. As noted above, all e-mail addresses belonging to the "names" are in Latin characters. If such a user wishes to search for a name in the address book, the user does not want to search in multiple languages. Thus, the transliteration routine 44T to assist in conducting an address book search.

That is, the e-mail routine, or the address book routine, typically includes a search function. As in the 5A - 5D 2, the search function is initiated by operating a selectable search option, typically selected by pressing a "search" button 78 or a menu option while the address book is open. When the search function is initiated, a search box becomes 70 and results are displayed in the search field and / or in a result list 72 shown. The user provides an input to the search field via the plurality of keys 26 , The input is typically in the default language that the user has selected. It should be noted that the "auto complete" feature as described above also includes the search function of the email routine 50 used. That is, while the "auto-complete" feature does not have a separate search box 70 1, the functionality described below can also be applied to the "auto-complete" feature found in the "To:" field 74 an email message is displayed. It is further apparent that the "cc:" field or "bcc:" field of an e-mail message has the same functionality as the primary "To:" field 74 , Accordingly, given a specific search field and an "To:" field 74 may have the same functionality, hereinafter the term "Email Address Book Search Box" 76 apply to both.

As stated above, this concept is mainly used when the standard language does not use Latin characters. Accordingly, the example set forth below assumes that the default language uses non-Latin characters. A flow chart of the method is shown in FIG 6 shown.

The user initiates in step 150 the email address book search box either by opening a search box in step 152 or by providing an entry in the "To:" field of an e-mail message in step 154 , That is, the user delivers in step 154 an input to the email address book search field. As noted above, it is assumed that the primary input language on the user's device is a non-Latin language. The input is a string growing with each iteration, as discussed below, and the string should generally be discussed as including a plurality of characters; however, it is obvious that the initial string is a single string Is a character associated with a character key entry. Thus, the email routine captures 50 in step 160 a non-Latin string input with at least one non-Latin character. The email routine then determines in step 170 whether names (or email addresses) that include non-Latin characters in the address book match the detected string.

In general, the determination of a corresponding name, in both Latin and non-Latin character sets, is based on comparing the character string in the email address book search field 76 with the names, that is, the strings that contain the names or email addresses, in the address book. Each name that includes the string input in the Email Address Book search box "matches" that string. Typically, the string is identical to the name in the e-mail address book, ie, the first respective characters are the same, the second respective characters are the same, and so on. However, there are cases where the string is located elsewhere in the name. For example, the given name of a person may be "H. Jon Benjamin "and this may be the name in the email address book. If the person is known as "Jon Benjamin," this is the most likely input in the email address book search box 76 , Since the string "Jon Benjamin" is in the name of H. Jon Benjamin, the name of the string corresponds. Thus, when a user inputs "J", "o", "n.", "B", etc., the e-mail routine determines 50 that the name "H. Jon Benjamin "corresponds to the input.

For many common characters, there are a number of corresponding names in the address book. There are a number of methods for providing an output when there are a plurality of corresponding names. For example, the first suggested name may be used as an "auto-complete" suggestion in the Email Address Book search box 76 appear and alternative suggestions can be in a result list 72 or only the first suggested name may appear as an "autocomplete" suggestion in the input field and no other alternatives are shown, or the e-mail address book search field 76 can only display the input of the user and all alternatives are in a result list 72 shown, or the email address book search box 76 can only display the user's input and only the first suggested name can be in a result list 72 appear. During each procedure with either the search field or the "To:" field 74 can be used, the first method is described below.

In the example embodiment described herein, when using the search function in a search field, it is known to display a suggested "auto-completion" to the search field and to provide other corresponding names in a list adjacent to the search field. Typically, the corresponding names are provided in alphabetical order. Thus, the first corresponding name is displayed according to the "auto-completion" as described above. That is, if the address book included only the names "Bill Smith" and "Bill Turner", inputting the letter "B" would cause the "auto-complete" routine to represent "ill Smith" as a proposed completion in the search field , It is noted that the portion of the name suggested by the "automatically complete" routine is typically highlighted 80 , Next, the name "Bill Turner" would appear on a list adjacent to the search box 70 appear, typically below. A user may select "Enter" or another command prompt to cause the suggested name to be in the "To:" field 74 the email message, select the alternate name, or continue typing characters. It is noted that when the user provides another character input, the number of suggested names typically decreases. That is, as more characters are entered, the number of corresponding names decreases. In this example, with only two names in the address book, the user would have to type in the first name, "Bill", and enter the letter "T" before the proposed output would change to "Turner".

It is further noted that if the user provides an input that does not have corresponding names in the address book, neither non-Latin nor Latin characters, there would be no results. That is, the "autocomplete" does not provide a suggested completion and / or result list 72 is empty. This can take place after names are initially suggested. In this example, with only a "Bill Smith" and a "Bill Turner" in the address book, when a user enters the letters "B", "i", "l", "l" and "A", there is none corresponding name and the result is not a proposed issue. In this case, the input provided by the user may be used and the name in the "To:" field 74 Provided the input was in the right form, for an email address, for example "BillAcker@XYZ.com".

In another alternative embodiment, when a user inputs in an "To:" field 74 an email message, only a single proposed issue will appear in the "To:" box 74 the email message provided. That is, no list of other corresponding names will be shown. Thus, for example, if there are multiple "bills" in the address book, each with a different last name, the user must completely enter the first name and enter at least one additional letter of a surname before suggesting the intended "Bill" as the autocomplete (unless the intended "Bill" is the first suggested name).

In a further alternative embodiment, only the name most used is suggested. Accordingly, for example, if there are multiple "bills" in the address book, each with a different last name, the most commonly used "bill" is suggested as the autocomplete. To select an alternate "Bill", the user must delete the most used proposal and completely enter the first name and enter the first letter (s) of a surname before suggesting the alternate "Bill" as the autocomplete. Next, the electronic device 4 a routine 44 include contextual suggestions. The context may be based on several factors, such as the time of day, but not limited thereto. For example, if the user regularly sent an email message to Bill Smith in the morning and to Bill Turner in the afternoon, the proposed issue is based on the time of day.

The email routine 50 then uses the transliteration routine 44T to determine if there are names with Latin characters that correspond to the string. That is, the transliteration routine 44T is used to step in 180 determine which Latin characters belong to the string. It is again noted that, after a single input, the string is a single character, so the transliteration routine may be 44T determine which single Latin character belongs to the single string.

The email routine 50 then determines in step 190 whether names correspond to Latin characters in the address book of the associated string. This method is substantially similar to the method described above with respect to non-Latin characters.

If any names correspond to non-Latin characters or Latin characters in the address book of the associated string, the email routine will show 50 in step 200 at least one name corresponding to the detected character string. As noted above, the representation of a single corresponding name is found in the search box or the "To:" field 74 instead and other corresponding names are in a result list 72 however, as noted above, other output schemes may be used. It is noted that the list may be a complete list of corresponding names, but more typically a partial list representing a limited number of corresponding names in alphabetical order.

The user can enter additional characters by pressing additional character keys. Each time an additional character key is pressed, the above procedure is repeated 210 , That is, the process of grasping 160 a non-Latin string input, a determination 170 whether names correspond to non-Latin characters in the address book of the detected string, determining 180 which Latin characters belong to the string, a determining 190 whether names correspond to Latin characters in the address book of the associated string; and if names with non-Latin characters or names with Latin characters in the address book correspond to the associated string, representing 200 at least one name corresponding to the detected character string is executed each time a user inputs an additional character. Each time the user inputs extra characters, the string becomes longer and typically reduces the number of corresponding names. Thus, the user is finally shown a single name.

As noted above, if the input provided by the user has no corresponding names, neither the non-Latin characters nor the Latin characters, the routine may proceed to step 190 entering the user in the "To:" field 74 insert 195 , Preferably, the email routine is structured to confirm that the name is in a correct email format.

The following example shows the method disclosed above and will be described with reference to FIGS 5A - 5D described. In this example, the user is Greek and uses the Greek character set on his handheld electronic device 4 , The user has a friend from England named Danny and a Greek friend named Dana, as well as a number of other friends. Each friend has sent messages to the user, and the user has added both Danny and Dana to his address book. The message from Danny was in English (a Latin language) and Danny is stored as "Danny" in the address book. The message from Dana was in Greek (a non-Latin language) and Dana is stored as "Δαvα" in the address book. The user now wants to write a message to Danny.

The user initiates in step 150 the e-mail address book search field by opening a search in the address book with the cursor in the e-mail address book search field. The user then presses the character key 25 that has the sign "Δ" on it. That is, the user sees an entry in the "To:" field 74 the email message 154 , The email routine 50 recorded in step 160 the non-Latin string input and determines 170 whether names (or email addresses) match non-Latin characters in the address book of the detected string. In this example, the email routine finds 50 Δαvα and Διμιτρu (Dimitry, another Greek friend in the address book).

The email routine 50 then uses the transliteration routine 44T , to determine 180 which Latin characters belong to the string. In this case, the Greek character "Δ" belongs to the Latin character "D". Thus determined 180 the transliteration routine 44T in that "Δ" belongs to the Latin character "D".

The email routine 50 then determines in step 190 whether names correspond to Latin characters in the address book of the associated string. In this example, the only name with Latin characters in the address book beginning with the letter "D" is Danny.

Thus, upon determining that the address book includes three names that correspond to the entry of "Δ", Δαvα, Danny and Διμιτρu, provides the e-mail routine 50 in step 200 at least one name corresponding to the detected character string. In this example, the user has used the search function of the email routine. As described above, the email routine is 50 structured to display a list of all corresponding names, with a suggested name appearing in the search field of the e-mail address book. Thus, as shown, all three names are represented, where Δαvα in the e-mail address book search field 76 appears and Danny and Διμιτρu appear on the list. It is noted that if the user had started in the "To:" field 74 typing would typically be the only option Δαvα shown in the "To:" field 74 appears.

At this point, the user can select the name "Danny" by clicking or double-clicking the name Danny in the list. Alternatively, the user may provide an additional input. Thus, if the user the character key 25 would like to press that has the character "ά", the process would be repeated as described above. The result following the input of the character "ά" would be that the name Δiμiτρu would no longer appear on the list, since Διμιτρu does not match the string "Δά". However, "Danny" would continue to appear on the list under Δαvα.

The user then enters the additional characters "v" and "v". Each time the user provides an input, the process is repeated as described above. After the second "v" is entered, the string no longer matches the name Δαvα and the only choice left is Danny. The user can then click, double-click or press the "Enter" key to select Danny as the recipient. After selecting a recipient, a new e-mail message with the selected name will appear in the "To:" box 74 generated as known in the art. It is noted that if the user had chosen a non-Latin name as the recipient or as an additional recipient, the email routine 50 before sending the email message would convert that name to Latin characters as described above.

While specific embodiments of the disclosed and claimed concept have been described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details can be made to the entire teachings of the disclosure. For example, the present application uses a full keyboard as an example; however, the reduced keyboard method is equally effective coupled with a disambiguation routine. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are to be considered illustrative only and not restrictive as to the scope of the disclosed and claimed concept to which the full scope of the appended claims and all equivalents thereof are to be accorded.

Summary

An improved method of translating non-Latin input into an e-mail address field ( 52 ) into the Latin equivalent. A routine in a hand-held device ( 4 ) is structured to capture a triggering event indicating that an e-mail address ( 60 ) in an email address field ( 52 ) is entered. Subsequent to the trigger event, both a previous and subsequent input to Latin characters transliterates because these characters are required for Internet protocols. The transliteration routine can also be used to search an email address book that stores names using both Latin and non-Latin characters.

Claims (20)

Method for transliteration of a non-Latin input in an e-mail address field ( 52 ) into the Latin equivalent on a hand-held electronic device, the hand-held electronic device ( 4 ) an ad ( 42 ), a keyboard ( 20 ) and a processor device ( 16 ), wherein the keyboard ( 20 ) a variety of character keys ( 25 ), wherein the processor device ( 16 ) a processor ( 36 ) and a memory ( 40 ), wherein the processor device ( 16 ), an input from the keys of the keyboard ( 20 ) and output signals to the display ( 42 ), the memory ( 40 ) a number of routines ( 44 ), wherein at least one keyboard routine ( 46 ), an input of the character key ( 25 ) to a specific character, the characters being provided in a database having sets of associated characters, the sets of associated characters comprising at least one non-Latin character set and the Latin character set, and at least one e-mail routine ( 50 ), which is structured, an email address field ( 52 ) and an input from the character keys ( 25 ) of the keyboard, the method of transliteration comprising the steps of: a) providing an association ( 100 ) of the plurality of character keys ( 25 ) to a non-Latin character set; b) Capture ( 102 ) an input of the character key ( 25 ); c) determining ( 104 ) containing non-latin characters to the actuated character key ( 25 ) belongs; d) Represent ( 106 ) of the non-Latin character corresponding to the operated character key ( 25 ), in the email address field ( 52 ); e) Repeat ( 108 ) of steps (b) - (d) until a trigger event occurs, and then: f) redefine ( 110 ) of the character keys ( 25 ) by assigning the character keys ( 25 ) to the Latin character set; g) Convert ( 112 ) of all non-Latin characters entered in the Email Address field ( 52 ), into the Latin equivalent of this non-Latin sign; h) Capture ( 114 ) an input of the character key ( 25 ); i) determining ( 116 ), which Latin characters to the actuated character key ( 25 ) belongs; j) Represent ( 118 ) of the Latin character in the email address field ( 52 ); k) Repeat ( 120 ) of steps (h) - (j) until the e-mail address ( 60 ) is complete; and l) sending ( 122 ) of the email with an email address ( 60 ) with Latin characters. Method for transliteration according to claim 1, wherein the at least one email routine ( 50 ) comprises an address book containing at least a name and an associated email address ( 60 ), wherein the at least one email routine ( 50 ) has an "auto-complete" feature whereby the email routine ( 50 ) further comprises a manual conversion option, and wherein: the triggering event is selected from the group comprising: actuating the manual conversion option, detecting an input that is not "auto-complete", or detecting a feature input. Method for transliteration according to claim 2, wherein the at least one email routine ( 50 ) is arranged to provide an output table, the output table being adjacent to the e-mail address field ( 52 ), and wherein the step of detecting an input of the character key (16) 25 ) having an associated non-Latin character, comprising the steps of: a) representing in the output table of a first field ( 56 ) and a second field ( 58 ), the first field ( 56 ) represents the Latin equivalent of the non-Latin character input, the second field ( 58 ) represents a predicted auto-complete address book name; and b) enabling the selection of the Latin equivalent of the non-Latin character input or the predicted auto-complete address book name. The method of transliteration of claim 3, wherein, during the step of enabling the Latin equivalent of the non-Latin character input or the predicted auto-complete address book name, the user selects the Latin equivalent of the non-Latin character input , which serves to select the Latin equivalent of the non-Latin character input as an operation of the manual conversion option. Method of transliteration according to claim 3, wherein, prior to the step of detecting an input of the character key ( 25 ) having an associated non-Latin character, the output table is displayed with a field indicating the use of Latin characters, and wherein the method comprises the step of allowing the user to select the field that includes the use of Latin characters and a selection of the field indicating the use of Latin characters serves as an actuation of the manual conversion option. Handheld electronic device ( 4 ), comprising: a housing ( 6 ); an input device ( 8th ), which has a keyboard ( 20 ) with a variety of character keys ( 25 ); an output device ( 12 ), which is an ad ( 32 ); a processor device ( 16 ) with a processor ( 36 ) and a memory ( 40 ), wherein the processor device ( 16 ), an input from the keyboard ( 20 ), output signals to the display ( 32 ), and a number of routines ( 44 ) execute; the memory ( 40 ) a number of routines ( 44 ) has stored therein; where the number of routines ( 44 ) at least one keyboard routine ( 46 ), which is structured, a single input of a character key ( 25 ) to a specific character, the characters in a database ( 48 ) having sets of associated characters, the sets of associated characters comprising at least one non-Latin character set and the Latin character set; where the number of routines ( 44 ) at least one email routine ( 50 ), which is structured, an email address field ( 52 ) and an input from the character keys ( 25 ) to capture and display the keyboard; the processor device ( 16 ), which is at least one keyboard routine ( 46 ) and the at least one email routine ( 50 ) to hold the handheld electronic device ( 4 ) to perform operations comprising: a) providing an association ( 100 ) of the plurality of character keys ( 25 ) to a non-Latin character set; b) Capture ( 102 ) an input of the character key ( 25 ); c) determining ( 104 ) containing non-latin characters to the actuated character key ( 25 ) belongs; d) Represent ( 106 ) of the non-Latin character corresponding to the operated character key ( 25 ), in the email address field ( 52 ); e) Repeat ( 108 ) of steps (b) - (d) until a trigger event occurs, and then: f) redefine ( 110 ) of the character keys ( 25 ) by assigning the character keys ( 25 ) to the Latin character set; g) Convert ( 112 ) of all non-Latin characters entered in the Email Address field ( 52 ), into the Latin equivalent of this non-Latin sign; h) Capture ( 114 ) an input of the character key ( 25 ); i) determining ( 116 ), which Latin characters to the actuated character key ( 25 ) belongs; j) Represent ( 118 ) of the Latin character in the email address field ( 52 ); k) Repeat ( 120 ) of steps (h) - (j) until the e-mail address ( 60 ) is complete; and l) sending ( 122 ) of the email with an email address ( 60 ) with Latin characters. Handheld electronic device ( 4 ) according to claim 6, wherein: the at least one email routine ( 50 ) comprises an address book containing at least a name and an associated email address ( 60 ), wherein the at least one email routine ( 50 ) has an "auto-complete"feature; the email routine ( 50 ) further comprises a manual conversion option; and the triggering event is selected from the group comprising: operating the manual conversion option, detecting an input that is not "auto-complete", or detecting a function character input. Handheld electronic device ( 4 ) according to claim 7, wherein: the at least one email routine ( 50 ) is arranged to provide an output table, the output table being adjacent to the e-mail address field ( 52 ) is pictured; and where the routines ( 50 ), when executed on the processor ( 36 ), the handheld electronic device ( 4 ) to perform operations comprising: a) representing in the output table of a first field ( 56 ) and a second field ( 58 ), the first field ( 56 ) represents the Latin equivalent of the non-Latin character input, the second field ( 58 ) represents a predicted auto-complete address book name; and b) enabling the selection of the Latin equivalent of the non-Latin character input or the predicted auto-complete address book name. Handheld electronic device ( 4 ) according to claim 8, wherein, during the operation of enabling selection of the Latin equivalent of the non-Latin character input or the predicted auto-complete address book name, the user selects the Latin equivalent of the non-Latin character input Selection of the Latin equivalent of the non-Latin character input serves as an operation of the manual conversion option. Handheld electronic device ( 4 ) according to claim 8, wherein: the e-mail routine ( 50 ) is structured to represent a field indicating the use of Latin characters in the output table; the routines ( 50 ), when executed on the processor ( 36 ), the handheld electronic device ( 4 ) to perform operations that include: enabling the user to select the field indicating the use of Latin characters; and a selection of the field indicating the use of Latin characters serves as an actuation of the manual conversion option. Method for performing a multilingual search in an e-mail address book search field ( 76 ) on a hand-held electronic device ( 4 ), wherein the handheld electronic device ( 4 ) an ad ( 32 ), a keyboard ( 20 ) and a processor device ( 16 ), wherein the keyboard ( 20 ) a variety of character keys ( 25 ), including a variety of character keys ( 25 ) belonging to a non-Latin character set, the processor device ( 16 ) a processor ( 36 ) and a memory ( 40 ), wherein the processor device ( 16 ), an input from the keys ( 26 ) of the keyboard ( 20 ) and output signals to the display ( 32 ), the memory ( 40 ) a number of routines ( 44 ), wherein at least one keyboard routine ( 46 ), an input of the character key ( 25 ) to a specific character, the characters in a database ( 48 ) having sets of associated characters, the sets of associated characters comprising at least one non-Latin character set and the Latin character set, and at least one e-mail routine ( 50 ) with an address book structured to store names in at least one non-Latin character set and the Latin character set, the e-mail routine ( 50 ) is further structured to display an email address book search field and an input from the character keys ( 25 ) of the keyboard, the method of performing a multilingual search in an e-mail address book search field on a hand-held electronic device ( 4 ) comprises the steps of: a) detecting ( 160 ) a non-Latin string input; b) determining ( 170 ), whether names correspond to non-Latin characters in the address book of the detected character string; c) determining ( 180 ) which latin characters belong to the string; d) determining ( 190 ), whether names correspond to Latin characters in the address book of the associated string; and e) if names with non-Latin characters or names with Latin characters in the address book correspond to the associated character string, represent ( 200 ) at least one name corresponding to the detected character string. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one email routine ( 50 ) comprises a search function and a selectable search option, the at least one email routine ( 50 ) is structured to display a search field and a result list, further comprising the steps of: before step (a), selecting an e-mail address book search option; after step (e), selecting at least one name shown; and generating a new e-mail message addressed to the selected name. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of presenting at least one name corresponding to the detected character string comprises the step of: Represent a variety of corresponding names in a result list. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: before step (a), generating a new e-mail message, the message including at least an "to:" field ( 74 ) Has; Positioning a cursor in the "To:" field ( 74 ) the new email; and after step (e), selecting the at least one name shown. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: Repeating steps (a) - (e), where the string lengthens with each iteration. Handheld electronic device ( 4 ), comprising: a housing ( 6 ); an input device ( 8th ), which has a keyboard ( 20 ) with a variety of character keys ( 25 ); an output device ( 12 ), which is an ad ( 32 ); a processor device ( 16 ) with a processor ( 36 ) and a memory ( 40 ) the processor device ( 16 ), an input from the keyboard ( 20 ), output signals to the display ( 32 ), and a number of routines ( 44 ) execute; the memory ( 40 ) a number of routines ( 44 ) has stored therein; where the number of routines ( 44 ) at least one keyboard routine ( 46 ), which is structured, includes an input of a single character key ( 25 ) to a specific character, the characters in a database ( 48 ) having sets of associated characters, the sets of associated characters comprising at least one non-Latin character set and the Latin character set; where the number of routines ( 44 ) at least one email routine ( 50 ), which is structured, an email address field ( 52 ) and an input from the character keys ( 25 ) to capture and display the keyboard; the processor device ( 16 ), which is at least one keyboard routine ( 46 ) and the at least one email routine ( 50 ) to hold the handheld electronic device ( 4 ) to perform operations comprising: a) providing an association of the plurality of character keys ( 25 ) to a non-Latin character set: b) Capture ( 160 ) a non-Latin string input; c) determining ( 170 ), whether names correspond to non-Latin characters in the address book of the detected character string; d) determining ( 180 ) which latin characters belong to the string; e) determining ( 190 ), whether names correspond to Latin characters in the address book of the associated string; and f) if names with non-Latin characters or names with Latin characters in the address book correspond to the associated character string, represent ( 200 ) at least one name corresponding to the detected character string. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one email routine ( 50 ) comprises a search function and a selectable search option, the at least one email routine ( 50 ) is structured to display a search field and a result list, further comprising the steps of: before step (b), selecting an e-mail address book search option; after step (f), selecting at least one name shown; and generating a new e-mail message addressed to the selected name. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of presenting at least one name corresponding to the detected character string comprises the step of: Represent a variety of corresponding names in a result list. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of: prior to step (b), generating a new e-mail message, the message including at least one "To:" field ( 74 ) Has; Positioning a cursor in the "To:" field ( 74 ) the new email; and after step (f), selecting the at least one name shown. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of: repeating ( 210 ) of steps (b) - (f), wherein the string lengthens with each iteration.

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